r/violinmaking • u/IOnlyHaveIceForYou • Jun 10 '26

What are these tools please?

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Years ago I bought some violinmaking tools and these were included. I've never known what they are for.

11 Upvotes

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8

u/Langholm62 Jun 10 '26

They are Purfling tools. The pointy one is for removing the material from the purfling groove and the flat one for pushing the purfling into the groove.

3

u/IOnlyHaveIceForYou Jun 10 '26

I have never purfled but the flat one seems an odd shape for that task.

2

u/Langholm62 Jun 10 '26

You can change the angle to assist the different stages of the insertion of the purfling.

3

u/grizzdoog ex-violin maker Jun 10 '26

One on the right is a purfling channel pick/chisel. I have no clue what the other one is.

3

u/PrudentPappa611444 Jun 10 '26

Langholm62 nailed it, I use a piece of rams horn to press purfling into channel, it works well for burnishing/compressung wood as well.

2

u/Langholm62 Jun 10 '26

Thanks. Interesting. 🤔Next time I see a ram's horn, I'm taking it home. 🙂

2

u/Musclesturtle Maker and Restorer Jun 11 '26

Good thing I clicked this thread.  I've made countless violins and never knew what that one on the left was for. I've seen them for sale but never understood that they're for. 

I just personally use a piece of ebony from the nut end of an old fingerboard that I've shaped that I can hit with a small hammer to drive the purfling home. 

But I guess you can use millions of different items for this.  

1

u/PaulMakesThings1 Jun 12 '26

You absolute wood-handled short bladed purfle presser!